Direct Detection of Bacterial Pathogens on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

This paper presents a rapid method of detecting specific bacterial pathogens on the surface of fresh produce without sample preparation (water rinse, soak, stomaching) and/or enrichment. The method combines wireless, phage-coated magnetoelastic (ME) biosensors and a surface-scanning detector that can be passed over food surfaces for pathogen detection. The speed of detection is from 5 to 10 minutes. Simultaneous measurement of multiple sensors was demonstrated for the first time, which opens up the path to on-site, multiplexed pathogen detection.